Automatic railroad-switch.



E. P. BORGSTEDE.

AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITGH.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1910.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

4 SHEETS-EHIJET 1.

Q. EFBozysZede wvlmeweo B. F. BORGSTEDE. AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITCH." APPLICATION FILED JAN. 7, 1910'.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

4 a ll 12.

COLUMBIA PLANOORAPH C6,. WASHINGTON. D. C.

E. RBORGSTEDE. AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITCH.

APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 7, 1910.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

lM ue/wbo'o EFBorysZde E. F. BORGSTEDE. AUTOMATIC RAILROAD SWITGH. APPLIOATION FILED 1,111.1, 1910.

1,004,735. Patented 0013,1911.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

I H HAMI mvrrn ELMER F. BORGSTEDE, OF VOLTAIRE, NORTH DAKOTA.

AUTOMATIC RAILROAD-SWITCH.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 3, 1911.

Application filed January 7, 1910. Serial No. 536,956.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ELMER F. Boncsrnnn, a citizen of the United States, residing at Voltaire, in the county of MoHenry and State of North Dakota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Railroad-Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in automatic railroad switches, of that character wherein the switch is adapted to be operated by a suitable device carried by the car.

The primary object of my invention is to provide an automatically operated switch which is opened by the moving train in advance of the siding upon which it is to be run, and after leaving the main line is adapted to operate a switch closing memher to return'the switch points to their normally closed position.

Another object of the present invention is to improve and simplify the construction of switches of the above character, thereby rendering the same much more durable and efficient and less expensive to install.

A further object is to provide a switch which 'may be either automatically operated by the passing train, or by means of a manually operated member arranged upon a switch stand positioned adjacent to the track.

lVith these and other objects in view, the present invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings forming a part of this specification, and in which like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the several views, Figure 1 is a top plan view of a portion of a main line track and siding with my improved switch operating mech anism applied thereto, the protective casings being shown in section. Fig. 2 is an enlarged plan view of one of the rotating switch operating disks and its associated parts. Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line 1-4 of Fig. 1. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the switch stand, the gear casing being shown in section. Fig. 6 is a top plan view thereof, the target shaft 49 being shown in section. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of a locomotive showing he perating pin carried thereby, and means for positioning the same to engage with the switch operating mechanism. Fig. 8 is a bottom plan View of one of the rotary disk members.

Referring to the drawing 5 indicates the rails of the main line, and 6 the siding rails. These rails are secured to the ties 8 in the usual manner, and the movable switch points 9 are arranged at the point of connection between the main line and the sidlng.

A supporting base 10 is positioned between the rails of the main line in advance of the switch points 9, and a rotary disk 11 is mounted thereon. A journal member 12 is secured to the base 10 and the disk shaft 13 extends therethrough, the opposite end of said shaft being positioned in the supporting base. The under side of the disk 11 is formed with the radially extending ribs 14 which are adapted to engage with a stop block 15 integrally formed with the base 10 to limit the rotary movement of the disk. The disk 11 is provided with a notch or recess 16 in its edge which is adapted to receive a suitable operating member carried upon the bottom of the car, whereby the disk may be rotated to throw the switch points.

Suitable connections are provided between the disks 11 and the switch points and comprise a transverselypositioned rod 17 the outer end of which extends through a bearing formed upon the base 10. The inner end of the rod 17 is enlarged and bifurcated as shown at 18 to receive the end of a connecting rod 1.) which is slidably mounted in bearing boxes 20 secured to the ties. A pivot pin 2l'extends through the connected extremities of the rods 17 and 19, and a spring 22 is coiled upon the rod 17 between the bearing 23 and the enlarged end thereof. This spring is adapted to assist the rotative movement of the disk 11, after the rod 17 which is secured thereto has been moved to one side of the center thereof. Guide rails 24 are integrally formed with the base 10 by means of which the rails may be secured in position between the ties. The recessed edge of the disk 11 extends between the guide rails 24; which are cut away for the greater portion of their length to permit of the free rotative movement of the disk. A protective housing 25 is provided and is secured in a closed position by means of the padlocks 26 which are inserted through the eyes or staples which are positioned through the edge of the housing. Thus the various parts will be thoroughly protected from dust and dirt which might interfere with the proper operation of the mechanism, and any possibility of the switch being tampered with will thus be avoided.

An exact duplication of the parts above described is arranged bet-ween the rails of the siding, and as they operate in precisely the same manner it is believed that no additional description will be necessary.

The connecting rods 19 which are reciprocated by the rotary disks 11 have their inner ends connected to the crank portion 27 of a rock shaft 27 This rock shaft is transversely disposed with relation to the rods 19 and is mounted in bearings 28 secured to one of the rail ties. The crank portions 27' of the rock shaft are incased in the protective housing 29, and each of the connecting rods is movable through a tube 30 thus protecting the same from any possibility of corrosion and consequent breakage. The outer end of the rock shaft 27 is longitudinally extended forwardly of the siding rails, and is connected to a rod 31, which extends to the switch stand 32 and is pivotally connected to an arm 33 which is mounted upon the vertically disposed rotatably mounted rod 34. The outer end of the arm 33 is pivotally connected to a short bar 35 which is positioned in the bifurcated extremity of the rod 31. Integrally formed with the arm 33 and extending inwardly thereof there is a second arm 36 to which is pivotally connected a rod 37 the other end of which is secured to the draw bar 38. The bar 38 is secured to the movable switch points and opens and closes the switch upon the actuation of the operating mechanism as will be hereinafter set forth.

The switch stand 32 is rigidly mounted upon one of the rail ties, and at its upper end is formed with the lateral extension 39 in which the vertical shaft or rod 34 is mounted. Also formed with the switch stand is the projecting arc shaped extension 40 through which the shaft 34 is loosely disposed. An arm 41 is rigidly secured upon the shaft 34, and is provided with a recess in its outer end in which an operating handle 42 is pivoted. The extension 40 is also provided with two recesses 43 either of which is adapted to receive the operating handle 42 to lock the shaft against rotation, and the switch operating mechanism from unauthorized actuation. To accomplish this result, the handle 42 is swung downwardly into one of the recesses 43, and a curved hasp 44 which is secured to the extension 40 is passed over an eye or staple 45, and secured thereto by means of a padlock 46. The outward move ment of the handle 42 to an operative position will thus be prevented, and the switch points will remain in the positions to which they have been moved, until the handle is released from the recesses 43 in the locking extension by a person with the proper authority.

When it is desired to release the switch controlling handle 42 to permit of the automatic operation of the switch, I first loosen the curved hasp 44 and swing the handle 42 upward on its pivot. I then move the hasp 44 and again secure the same in its closed position, the handle 42 then resting upon the hasp and being prevented by the hasp from dropping into the slots or sockets 43, whereby as either of the disks 11 is shifted by the engine, the handle will slide around upon the hasp, as is shown in Fig. 1.

A gear sector 47 is secured upon the upper end of the shaft 34, and engages with the teeth of a similar gear sector 48 which is secured upon a rod or shaft 49 rotatably mounted in the switch stand. To protect the gears 47 and 48 and prevent the same from becoming clogged, a casing 50 is disposed over the same and has a depending flange which completely houses and protects the gearing. A suitable signal 51 is secured upon the upper end of the rod 49, exteriorly of the casing 50 and is adapted to indicate the position of the switch to the engineer of the approaching train. This signal member comprises the four arms which are disposed at right angles to each other, two of said arms being painted red, and the remaining arms white. Thus when the switch is operated and the shaft 34 is rotated, the signal member 51 will be operated and turned in posit-ion to disclose the condition of the switch.

In order to provide for the automatic actuation of the switch operating mechanism by amoving train, the vertically disposed spring controlled trip rod 53 is provided and is mounted upon the wheel axle of the locomotive. The rod 53 is disposed in a block 54 which is integrally formed with a base plate 55 secured to the truck frame. The journal bearing 56 is formed on the block 54 through which the wheel axle is positioned. Upon the rear of the block 54 an upright 57 is formed in which is pivoted the bell crank lever 58, the horizontally disposed portion of which is bifurcated at its outer end to receive the upper extremity of the rod 53. Alined slots 59 are formed in the bifurcated end of the lever 58, through which the connecting pin 60 extends and has longitudinal movement. To the other end of the lever 58 a horizontally extending connecting bar 61 is secured and has its forward end pivotally connected to the operating lever 62. This lever is pivoted intermediate of its ends as shown at 63 and extends to the engineers cab where it is positioned within convenient reach of the engineer. The lever 62 has mounted thereon the spring actuated dog 65 which engages with a segmental rack 64 and is operated by means of a hand grasp 66 pivoted upon the upper end of the operating lever. Thus when the lever has been moved to depress the trip rod 53 for engagement with the disks 11, it may be securely held in such position by the engagement of the dog with the teeth of the rack segment to insure the positive operation of the switch mechanism. A spring 53 is coiled upon the rod 53 and is disposed between the block 54 and the horizontal arm of the bell crank 58. Thus it will be seen that when the trip rod is in operative position, the spring 53 is under tension, and when the operating lever 62 is released, the spring will return the trip rod to its normal inoperative position.

The operation of my improved switch mechanism is as follows: Presuming that the parts are in the positions shown in Fig. 1, wherein the switch is closed for the passage of the train over the main line, as the train approaches the rotary disk 11 arranged between the rails of the main line, the engineer will throw the trip rod 53 into position to engage in the notch 16 formed in the disk. The rod 53 will be guided into the notch 16 in the disk by means of the guide rails 24, and the disk will be rotated to rock the shaft 27 through the medium of the connecting rod 19. The connecting rod 31 which is secured to the outer end of the rock shaft will thus rotate the arms 33 and 36 which are rigidly secured to the vertical shaft 34 mounted in the switch stand 32. This movement of the arms will move the draw bar 38 inwardly, and thus move the switch points to open the switch so that the train may pass onto the siding. It will be noted that the notches 16 inthe disks 11 are reversely positioned with relation to the pivotal point of the disk, or in other words the notch in the disk which is mounted between the rails of the main line is positioned to the right of the pivot pin 13, while the notch in the disk which is mounted in the siding is positioned to the left thereof. Thus after the main line disk has been ro tated by the trip pin 53, the relative positions of the notches 16 will be reversed, and after the train has passed upon the siding the rod 53 will engage the notch in the other of the disks 11, and rotate the same to return the switch points to their normal positions and close the main line. As before stated the switch may be locked in either its open or closed position, by means of the operating handle 42 which has been positioned in one of the notches in the locking extension 40 and secured therein against removal by means of the hasp and padlock. Thus the switch points will remain in the position to which they have been moved until it is again desired to release the operating mechanism for actuation by the train.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided an automatically operated switch mechanism, whereby the switch points may be moved to open or close the main line, and the operation of the various,

parts is absolutely positive, thus insuring the movement of the switch points and obviating the liability of wrecking the train.

A railway switch constructed as above described may be comparatively inexpensively constructed and installed. But few parts are employed and these may be readily assembled or disassembled when repairs are necessary. It is also highly durable and efficient in its operation.

lVhat is claimed is:

1. The combination, with the main line and siding rails, of movable switch points adapted to connect one with the other, switch throwing means positioned between the rails of the main line and siding, said means consisting of rotary disks, said disks having notches provided therein, a rock shaft transversely positioned upon one of the rail ties, said rock shaft being formed with crank extensions, connecting rods connecting said disks with the crank portions of said rock shaft, means connected to said rock shaft and to the switch points to move the same, and means carried by a moving train adapted to engage in the notches of said disks to operate the switch throwing mechanism.

2. The combination, with a main line and siding rails, of movable switch points adapted to connect one with the other, disks rotatably mounted between the rails of the main line and the siding, each of said disks having a notch formed in the edge thereof, a rod pivoted to the under side of each of said disks, the other ends of said rods being mounted in. suitable bearings, springs disposed upon said rod adapted to accelerate the rotary movement of said disks, a transversely positioned rock sh aft, said shaft being formed with crank extensions, connecting rods between the crank portions of said shaft and said disks, said rods being slidably mounted in bearings secured to the rail ties, a switch stand positioned adjacent to the siding, connecting rods between the rock shaft and the switch stand, a shaft vertically mounted in said switch stand, arms rigidly secured to said shaft, said connecting rod being pivotally connected to one of said arms, a connecting rod between the other of said arms and said switch points, and means carried by a moving train adapted to engage in the notches in said disks to throw the switch points.

3. The combination, with the main line and siding rails, of switch points adapted to connect one with the other, rotary disks mounted between the main line and siding rails upon a suitable supporting base, ribs formed upon the under side of said disks, a stop integrally formed with the base adapted to be engaged by said ribs to limit the rotary movement of said disks, each of said disks having a notch formed in the edge thereof, a rod pivoted to the under side of said disks, bearings for the outer ends of said rods, springs coiled upon said rods disposed between said bearings and the inner ends thereof, a switch stand positioned adjacent to the rail, a shaft vertically mounted in said switch stand, arms rigidly secured to said shaft at the lower end thereof, means connecting said arms to said disks and to said switch points, means carried by said shaft for the manual operation of the switch points, and a spring controlled trigger rod carried by a moving train adapted to engage in the notches of said disks to move the switch points.

4:. In an automatic switch throwing mechanism, the combination with the main line and siding rails and the movable switch points connecting one with the other, said mechanism comprising rotatably mounted disks arranged between the main line and the siding rails, each of said disks having a notch formed in the edge thereof, of guide rails mounted upon the rail ties, the notches in the disks being positioned between said guide rails, means for accelerating the rotary movement of said disks after the pivotal points thereof have been passed, the notch in each of said disks being positioned upon opposite sides of their respective centers, the rotation of one of said disks operating to rotate the other of the disks in the opposite direction, a switch stand positioned adjacent to said rails, a vertically positioned shaft rotatably mounted in said switch stand, arms rigidly secured to said shaft, means connecting said arms and dis is and the switch points, an extension integrally formed with said switch stand, said shaft being loosely disposed therethrough, an operating handle secured upon said-shaft, said extension having recesses formed in the outer edge thereof, said handle being movable into one of said recesses to prevent the throwing of the switch points and adapted to be locked therein, and a spring controlled trigger rod carried by a moving train adapted to be received between the guide rails and engaged in the notches in said disks to actuate said switch throwing mechanism when the handle is in unlocked position.

5. The combination, with the main line and the siding rails, of switch points adapted to connect one with the other, switch throwing means positioned between the rails of the main line and the siding, a switch stand positioned adjacent to said rails, a rock shaft mounted upon one of the rail ties, connecting rods bet-ween the switch throwing means and said rock shaft, a vertical shaft rotatably mounted in said switch stand, arms rigidly secured to said shaft, connecting rods connecting said arms to the rock shaft and to the switch points, means carried by said shaft for manually throwing the switch points, means for locking the switch points against movement, a protective housing for said switch throwing means and the rods connecting the same to said rock shaft, and a spring controlled trip rod carried by a moving train normally positioned above the rails, said trip rod having an operating lever connected thereto to position the same for engagement with said switch operating mechanism to automati cally throw the switch points.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two witnesses;

ELMER F. BORGSTEDE.

Vitnesses:

J. R. MEAGHER, D. WV. MURDOCH.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

